Scale is the build up of minerals inside the hot parts of your coffee machine. The term “lime scale” is derived from hard water areas in some parts of the world that have a high mineral content, including lime. However no matter where you live, all water contains some minerals which can result in scale. Scale can affect your boiler, pumps and any part of your coffee machine that is exposed to hot water.
Why is limescale a problem?
The buildup of lime scale can have a number of adverse effects on the performance of your coffee machine; these include reducing the water flow, reducing boiler capacity, reducing the heating ability of the boiler etc. When limescale builds up on various parts the quality of coffee that your machine is able to produce is reduced significantly.
How often should I descale my Coffee machine?
How often you should descale your coffee machine depends upon two main variables, the quality (hardness) of the water and how much water goes through your coffee machine. If your area has harder water you will need to descale your machine more regularly(every 2-3 months) whereas if you live in an area where water is relatively soft and you utilize a water filter, you can descale your coffee machine once a year. Also the amount of water which goes through your coffee machine depends on the type of coffee you drink. If you drink mainly espresso then you will have less water going through your machine and therefore can descale less often. However if you are constantly making cappuccinos and flat whites then you will need to descale your coffee machine more frequently, as the steam generated by the coffee machine produces scale buildup.
Can I use Vinegar to descale my Coffee machine?
For a number of reasons we advise that you do not use vinegar to descale your coffee machine. First of all using vinegar to descale your coffee machine can leave your coffee machine with a strong odor, which can adversely affect the taste of coffee. Second of all Vinegar isn’t effective in removing the built up coffee oils found in the portafilter and baskets and around the group head. Over time these coffee oils build up and turn rancid, leaving your coffee with an unpleasant taste.
Why does my coffee machine need descaling so often?
If you are finding that your coffee machine needs descaling quite regularly, every 1 to 2 months, you live in an area with “hard water” which contains a high proportion of mineral salts which form insoluble deposits on the internals of your coffee machine.If you are experiencing this problem regularly you can reduce the frequency with which you need to descale your coffee machine by installing a water filtration system to remove the mineral salts from tap water.
What is the purpose of a water filtration system?
The purpose of the water filtration system is designed to reduce the build up of scale in your coffee machine, extending its life. Additionally, the water filter is able to reduce the concentration of substances that impair the flavour and odour of water, which in turn, impair the flavour of the coffee
What is limescale?